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The differences between material controllers and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material controller has an average salary of $41,064, which is higher than the $33,215 average annual salary of a material handler.
The top three skills for a material controller include computer system, purchase orders and hazardous materials. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.
| Material Controller | Material Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $41,064 | $33,215 |
| Hourly rate | $19.74 | $15.97 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 93,578 | 174,068 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A material controller coordinates the movement of materials between departments. This position's duties include creating records of materials' movements in the company, negotiating with vendors, carrying out safety checks, and ensuring operations follow company and industry regulations. They must work in collaboration with other departments in the company to perform their duties effectively.
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
Material controllers and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Controller | Material Handler | |
| Average salary | $41,064 | $33,215 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $68,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lancaster, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | California | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Aviation Technology Group | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material controller and a material handler in terms of educational background:
| Material Controller | Material Handler | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | - |
Here are the differences between material controllers' and material handlers' demographics:
| Material Controller | Material Handler | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |